Son Heung-Min: Tottenham Want to Play in the Europa League
Playing in the Europa League is something that Son Heung-Min insists, is what Tottenham wants to do this Wednesday night, when they face CSKA Moscow.
On Wednesday, Tottenham will be playing in their final Champions League fixture against CSKA Moscow at Wembley. It could also be the club’s last game in Europe this season if they fail to qualify for third place in Group E.
All Spurs need to do is earn a draw to advance to the Europa League. Something that Son Heung-Min wants to happen so that they can remain in Europe. And, because he knows that this team is strong enough to compete in two competitions.
“Of course, we want to play in the Europa League … we’re out of the Champions League, so we want to be in it.” Son said (via ESPN FC). “For the players, it’s better when you get to play games. For me it’s really important to stay in the Europa League, in two competitions.”
“We’re a strong team, everyone can play for everything. It’s very important. It’s not that if we play in the Europa League we’re not top five [in the Premier League]. The top four play also in the Champions League and you want to just keep playing and feel your fitness.”
More from Hotspur HQ
- Storybook ending after difficult period for Tottenahm’s Richarlison
- Tottenham comeback showcased invaluable intangible Ange has cultivated
- Tottenham player ratings in 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United
- Tottenham projected starting 11 for Sheffield United
- Tottenham’s Richarlison says he’s going to seek psychological help
Getting a point should be easy enough to do — both teams almost drew in their last encounter before Son scored a late winner. The only problem is, Spurs’ last two home games at the national team’s stadium have been losses.
So nothing is guaranteed to go as planned this Wednesday.
Leading up to this match-up, it appeared that some players wanted to return to White Hart Lane if Spurs’ secured their spot in the Europa League. A move that UEFA would sanction if the club wanted to go through with it.
However, Mauricio Pochettino has said that Wembley Stadium will still be used for the Europa League. A decision that Son Heung-Min supports because he feels it’s a special ground for Tottenham. They also have to start getting comfortable over there, as they’ll move in next season while their new ground is being built.
“It’s very important to play at Wembley, how it’s feeling and to thank the fans. It’s a special stadium for us, and we’re just keeping looking forward to feeling comfortable there,” Son added.
With Son scoring a goal against Swansea en route to Tottenham’s 5-0 drubbing of the Welsh club, the 24-year-old feels that he can return to his early season form when he tallied four goals in September to be the club’s leading goalscorer at the time.
Next: Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham Fully Deserved Win
“Best goal for my career I think! I’m really happy to score the goal and get three points,” the South Korean international said. “I’ve been a bit unlucky with small injuries. I had a little bit of a small injury here and in the national team I also did. I’m really fine now and I’m just looking forward to scoring plenty and helping Spurs as much as possible.”
“Every footballer has small injuries. I think everyone is the same, but every footballer has pain or little injuries. It’s about constantly working hard.
“I’ve also been travelling a lot with the national team. Now I can stay until maybe March to play here, training really well and recovering well and I think I feel fresher than in the last two months.”